James Jeyaraj is running for Auburn City Council Position No. 3. His opponent is Kenneth (Ken) Pearson.
Auburn Examiner: Social media accounts for public officials can build a direct connection for the city’s residents that can create a dialogue for comments or questions with those responsible for their public services. Presently only Auburn’s Mayor has an official Facebook account. Do you believe city councilmembers should have official social media accounts to engage with their constituents? Please explain why or why not.
James Jeyaraj: I believe official social media accounts are excellent interactive tools that city council members can use to connect with their constituents. We can use them not only to communicate issues the council is addressing, but also to understand residents’ interests and concerns. This helps council members stay in touch with Auburn’s immediate needs.
Auburn Examiner: A common issue raised about downtown Auburn is a lack of parking, or that parking is limited to 3 hours. With the two new mixed-use buildings going in, how do you propose the city addresses these concerns?
James Jeyaraj: Even without the two mixed-use buildings, Auburn’s available parking falls short of its needs. I believe we can best address this with satellite parking and more robust public transportation. For example, places like Lakeland and Lea Hill are experiencing a lot of population growth. If we build satellite parking space in these communities and provide weekday public transportation from them to downtown Auburn and the train station, we can reduce the need for longer term parking downtown.
Auburn Examiner: What thoughts do you have, if any, to improve the appearance of the city?
James Jeyaraj: In the last few years I’ve been impressed with how downtown Auburn has improved its appearance with the ongoing Auburn Arts Alley project. I support efforts like this that not only improve our city’s appearance, but also enrich our city’s culture. By continuing this effort, we can attract new families who want to call Auburn home as well as visitors of all ages.
Auburn Examiner: If you received a $1 million grant to use for the city any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?
James Jeyaraj: I’d use the grant to address three aspects of homelessness in Auburn: homeless shelters, job training, and affordable housing. Homeless shelters create a safe environment where those in need can get a hot meal, a shower, a clean bed, and medical care. Job training programs offer homeless, low-wage, and unemployed people the opportunity to learn new skill sets, like health care and information technology, that can lead to better opportunities. Affordable housing helps attract young adults and new families at the beginning of their careers and provides longer term housing options for homeless people getting back on their feet. Together, homeless shelters, job training, and affordable housing help our city prosper by both reducing homelessness and attracting new young residents.
Auburn Examiner: The city’s projected budget indicates that without changes, Auburn could be in the red in the coming years. It has been suggested that implementing new revenue sources would likely prevent this. What revenue source(s) would you propose to help balance the city’s budget?
James Jeyaraj: With Auburn’s rapid growth, Auburn city services are crucial. That growth increases revenue, but it’s not enough on its own. We must make Auburn more attractive for business investment that creates new jobs. We also need to raise Auburn’s visibility not only as a convenient stopover, but also as a destination.
Auburn Examiner: What do you feel we can we learn from Seattle’s growing problem when it comes to affordable housing?
James Jeyaraj: Seattle teaches us that business and job growth without proportionate increases in residential development makes housing unaffordable for everyday working families. Without increases in residential development and affordable housing, property purchase prices, property taxes, and rents all skyrocket. If we want Auburn to be a viable choice for new residents as well as a realistic option for our aging community members, we need to invest in quality affordable housing for all income levels.
Auburn Examiner: The city will see new development and redevelopment to accommodate the continual growth of Auburn. If you could change one thing in our zoning code, what would it be and why?
James Jeyaraj: If I could change one thing in Auburn’s zoning code to accommodate continual growth, I‘d allow more high rise apartments or condos in residential areas. Both the apartments and condos should have units available for all income levels. They should include underground or above-ground parking for residents as well as easy access to public transportation.
Auburn Examiner: While not voters the youth of Auburn are still constituents. How will you involve them, and ensure they are considered in your decision-making process?
James Jeyaraj: Young residents may be constituents who can’t vote yet, but they’re our future voters, city councilmembers, mayors, representatives, senators, and governors. We can use school outreach programs and social media to understand and respond to their needs and concerns. When we positively engage with them, young constituents experience the importance of being active in their community, and they help us make Auburn better for all its residents.
Auburn Examiner: What programs do you feel the city is lacking? If elected, how will you work to see these programs implemented?
James Jeyaraj: We need more effective programs to keep Auburn clean. We all suffer when litter and graffiti are out of control. Dirty and broken sidewalks make Auburn appear even less hospitable. We need neighborhood and city-wide programs to clean up our city and ensure that our sidewalks are safe and uncluttered. If we want to attract new businesses, residents, workers, and visitors, we need to keep Auburn clean.
Auburn Examiner: Illegal dumping, excessive litter, graffiti, and unkempt sidewalks are among concerns raised by Auburn residents. What do you propose to address cleaning up Auburn’s more unsightly areas, and keeping them maintained?
James Jeyaraj: Auburn is a beautiful city, but illegal dumping, litter, graffiti, and unkempt sidewalks are an eye sore. As I said in my answer to the previous question, we need more effective programs to keep Auburn clean. In addition to these programs, I support increased fines for people caught dumping, littering, or defacing both public and private property.
Auburn Examiner: What businesses do you feel Auburn is lacking and would benefit from the most?
James Jeyaraj: I think Auburn would benefit most from attracting businesses that focus on emerging green technologies. I also love food, so I’d love to see more restaurants with diverse ethnic cuisines.
Auburn Examiner: If elected, how will you govern for the future of Auburn?
James Jeyaraj: The journey to city council is a labor of love for me. I believe in serving the people of Auburn, and that we’re stronger when we stand together. This means that I’ll make myself available to all residents through in-person meetings, phone calls, e-mail, snail mail, and social media. I’ll listen to residents’ needs, concerns, issues, and feedback. Only by understanding our constituents needs and concerns, can the city council address issues and find solutions that make Auburn a better place for us all.
Auburn Examiner: What is your favorite word?
James Jeyaraj: Love
Auburn Examiner: What is your least favorite word?
James Jeyaraj: Slave
Auburn Examiner: What turns you on?
James Jeyaraj: Family
Auburn Examiner: What turns you off?
James Jeyaraj: Hate
Auburn Examiner: What sound do you love?
James Jeyaraj: Silence
Auburn Examiner: What sound do you hate?
James Jeyaraj: Loud noise
Auburn Examiner: What is your favorite curse word?
James Jeyaraj: LOL “Shit”
Auburn Examiner: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
James Jeyaraj: Pilot
Auburn Examiner: What profession would you not like to do?
James Jeyaraj: Sewer cleaner – if that job exists.
Auburn Examiner: If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
James Jeyaraj: There’s your shack by the River of Life, and here’s your fishing pole. Enjoy!
Check out other candidate responses to these questions here. Other election questionnaires can be found in our Vote 2019 section.
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]